Super Rugby

Pollard leads Bulls against Lions

Handre Pollard of the Vodacom Bulls during the Super Rugby match between Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers

Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard has been named to lead the Bulls in this Saturday’s match against the Lions in Johannesburg.

The Bulls have included former Springbok lock, Eli Snyman and former Blitzbok, Dylan Sage in their first starts for the Bulls.

Snyman comes in for regular captain, Lood de Jager, who will miss the Jukskei derby due to injury, while Pollard takes the captaincy role.

Sage replaces Burger Odendaal and will form a new midfield combination with Jesse Kriel.

Bulls coach, Pote Human also made changes to the bench.

Jannes Kirsten slots into the lock berth vacated by Snyman on the bench, while Tim Agaba also gets a run from the bench in place of Thembelani Bholi. Divan Rossouw takes the backline spot vacated by Sage.

Duane Vermeulen will take over the leadership role in the forwards in place of De Jager, who will be out of action for two weeks.

According to Human, the margin of error in the competition is such that they need to play a perfect match against their Gauteng foes.

“We got punished last weekend by not retaining our ball on attack and against the Lions, who are so ruthless on counter-attack, we cannot afford to do so again. They are at home for the first time and will come out all guns blazing, no doubt. This is going to be a typical derby, where the winner will have to gut this out.”

Pollard agrees. “We need to outwork, outplay and out guts the Lions. They are such a determined side and deservedly topped the South African conference over the last couple of years. That said, we see this as an exciting opportunity to take a step forward as a group. We have to, if we want to make our hard work leading into the competition, pay off.”